Security forces stormed the hijacked Jaffar Express on Wednesday, bringing a dramatic end to a 30-hour siege in the rugged Bolan area of Balochistan, killing all 33 terrorists, while successfully rescuing more than 300 passengers.
Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the chief military spokesperson, revealed that 21 hostages lost their lives during the day-long standoff.
However, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general firmly said that no civilians were harmed in the final rescue operation carried out by the armed forces.
The ordeal began on Tuesday when separatist militants ambushed the Jaffar Express en route from Quetta to Peshawar, blowing up the railway track and attacking the train with rockets. According to Chaudhry, 440 people had been on board.
"Today we freed a large number of people, including women and children ... The final operation was carried out with great care," he said, adding that no civilians were killed in the operation. The security forces had cleared the train "bogey to bogey", he said.
According to the DG ISPR, the attack occurred in a remote and difficult-to-access area. He stated that the rescue operation was launched immediately, with the Army, Air Force and Frontier Corps (FC) taking part. "Today, SSG [Special Service Group] personnel also participated," he added.
The chief military spokesperson emphasized that the operation was conducted with extreme caution and expertise. He also highlighted the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) full involvement. "No passenger was harmed during the operation, and 33 terrorists were killed," he confirmed.
He said that the hostages were rescued in stages. Among them, more than 100 hostages were rescued by Tuesday evening. "Even today, a large number of hostage passengers, including women and children, were rescued. All the passengers were rescued by the evening," Lt-Gen Chaudhry stated.
The attack unfolded when Jaffar Express was attacked by heavily armed terrorists near Sibi. "The terrorists, after blowing up the railway track, took control of the train and held the passengers hostage including women, children and elderly, using them as human shields," the ISPR said in a statement.
"Security forces immediately responded to the situation. Displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, our valiant troops engaged the terrorists with precision and after a prolonged, intense and daring operation, the security forces successfully eliminated all 33 terrorists," it added.
According to the ISPR statement, the terrorists included suicide bombers. "Tragically, during the stage of this intense standoff, the terrorists took the lives of 21 innocent hostages, before the commencement of clearance operation," the statement continued.
"Additionally, 4 brave security forces' soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat. Their selfless actions saved countless lives and prevented further catastrophe. Sanitisation operation is also being conducted in the area and abettors of this cowardly and heinous act will be brought to justice."
In the aftermath of the attack, the freed passengers arrived in Quetta.
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the railway station, as women burst into tears while narrating their horrifying ordeal. One distraught mother was inconsolable: "My son is still in the custody of terrorists! Who will bring him back?"
The ISPR stated that the security forces were working tirelessly to provide support and assistance to the families of the victims and the rescued hostages. "The security forces of Pakistan remain steadfast in their resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," read the ISPR statement.
The ISPR said that intelligence reports unequivocally confirmed that the attack was orchestrated and directed by terrorist ring leaders operating from Afghanistan, who were in direct communication with the terrorists throughout the incident.
It further said that the sacrifices of "innocent civilians and our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment and resolve to safeguard our nation at all costs". It urged the Afghan government to uphold its responsibilities and deny the use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
Following the attack, Pakistan Railways has suspended train services between Balochistan and other provinces. According to sources, train operations from Rajanpur in Punjab had been halted temporarily and would only be restored once security conditions improve.
Additional security personnel were deployed to the mountainous Bolan Valley to launch a comprehensive search operation against the remaining militants involved in the attack. Authorities also tightened security measures in the provincial capital, Quetta, and other areas of Balochistan.
This coordinated effort underscores the commitment of law enforcement to neutralise threats, protect civilians, and restore calm in the regions affected by the recent terrorist assault on the train amid heightened public anxiety.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti convened a high-level meeting to review the evolving security situation in the aftermath of the incident. The Balochistan Assembly strongly condemned the attack through a resolution tabled by Meena Majid Baloch.
Speaking in the assembly, the members expressed their sympathies with the affected families and pledged full support for security forces in the fight against terrorism. The chief minister highlighted a lack of clarity in the national discourse on militancy, warning that confusion only benefited the enemy.
PM to visit Quetta
Meanwhile, President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the security forces for completing the operation against terrorists and rescuing the passengers of Jaffar Express, who were taken hostage.
Simultaneously, it was announced late on Wednesday that Prime Minister Shahbaz would travel to Quetta on a daylong visit on Thursday (today), where he would chair a high-level meeting on the law and order situation and receive a briefing on the train hijacking.
According to a press release from the President Secretariat Press Wing, Zardari expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of 21 civilians and four FC jawans. He paid tribute to the FC jawans, who embraced Shahadat and commended the professionalism of the security forces.
The president praised the security forces for their effective response and for sending 33 terrorists to hell. He also reiterated the government's resolve to secure peace and complete elimination of terrorism in Balochistan province.
The Prime Minister's Office Media Wing said in a separate press release that Shehbaz noted that the Jaffar Express operation was completed without any major losses due to the professional expertise of the security forces and the dynamic leadership of the army chief.
The press release added that PM Shehbaz would visit Balochistan on Thursday (today) to express solidarity with the people and assess the security situation. He would also preside over a meeting to review the law and order situation, it added.
"The brave soldiers and officers displayed courage and valour, eliminating 33 terrorists," the press release quoted the prime minister, as saying. "Those who harm innocent and unarmed civilians have no connection with Islam or this country."
The prime minister reaffirmed his resolve to defeat those who attacked innocent civilians, the press release stated, adding that the fight against terrorists would continue until terrorism was completely eradicated from the country.
Earlier, in a post on X, the prime minister said that the entire nation was "deeply shocked by the dastardly act of terrorist attack" and saddened at the loss of innocent lives and reiterated that "such cowardly acts would not shake Pakistan's resolve for peace".
Shehbaz said that he spoke with Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and was briefed on the attack. "I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs Dozens of the terrorists have been sent to hell," he further posted.
(WITH INPUTS FROM AGENCIES)
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